Cellardyke Harbour

NO50SE 47 centred 57725 03844

Pier [NAT] (at NO 5767 0380)

OS 1:10,000 map, 1973.

Skinfast Haven [NAT]

OS 1:2500 map [no date available].

Location formerly cited as NO 577 038.

For Anstruther Easter Harbour (NO 568 034), see NO50SE 48.00.

(Location cited as NO 577 038). At Cellardyke (Nether Kilrenny) a ridge of rock, mainly tidal, runs more or less parallel with the shore, enclosing within it a pocket known as Skinfast Haven. This was described in 1759 as a 'new sea-port' previously little used', and authoriation was given for its 'repair and construction' in the interests of poor and unemployed fishermen. On this showing the place had evidently been used to some extent before 1579, and the allusion to 'repair' indicates that harbour-works of some sort then existed. By 1623 the harbour was 'decayit', and a grant for its repair was obtained two years later; in 1703 it was described as 'pretty deep, and covered by a hewen Head of Stone' in 1703 it was mentioned cursorily by Sibbald, and Roy's Map (1747-55) marks a pier.

Before the improvements instituted in 1829, the works appear to have comprised a breakwater about half the length of the present one, a cross-pier projecting from the NW side of the basin towards the returned head of the breakwater, and a quay running from this pier NE to the inner end of the basin. The improvements resulted in the extension of the breakwater to its present length, the removal of the cross-pier, the building of a new one on an alignment parallel to the existing West Pier but some 50ft [15.2m] NE of it, and the excavation of some rock along the side of the basin between this new work and the site of the demolished cross-pier. The double flight of steps from the street seems also to belong to this phase of the operations. The cost of the improvements is recorded as £1700.

In 1853, more work was evidently done on the NW side of the basin, a continuous quay being formed along the whole length, as at present, and the old quay-face being cut back slightly to suit. At some later date, and evidently after the Ordnance survey of 1854, the new cross-pier was removed SW to its present position. Later again, its head was extended so as to reduce the breadth of the harbour entrance to about 25ft [7.6m]. These frequent structural changes may well have been connected with the less than satisfactory results attained by the extension of the breakwater.

The harbour is aligned from NE to SW, and today measures about 350ft [106.7m] in length by 120ft [36.6m] breadth at its head, and 220ft [67.1m] at its SW end. The breakwater, with its massive parapet to seaward and a quay along its inner side, is founded on the inner slope of the protecting rock-ridge; its landward, or original, portion runs on a south-westerly alignment for about 230ft [70.1m] from the corner of the houses at Harbourhead [name centred NO 5776 0389], the extension being deflected SSW, running on for about 170ft [51.8m] and ending in a pierhead which returns nearly W for 28ft [8.5m]. The landward stretch is mainly built of large square blocks set vertically; its quay is up to 14ft [4.3m] wide, with rough paving and a lip irregularly aligned. The parapet is likewise rather irregularly built, varying in height up to about 8ft [2.4m] and in thickness on the top to 6ft [1.8m]. Close to the deflection, the parapet contains a recess, which has held a wooden pawl. The stretch beyond the deflection presents an obvious contrast, as its face is of thin blocks, neatly dressed and well coursed, although the parapet is of rough material. The enbd of the pier-head, like that of the West Pier, has a chase for booms.

The West Pier, about 170ft [51.8m] long, is of neatly coursed blocks, rather thicker than those of the breakwater extension; the junction between the original work and the addition at the end is clearly marked. There is a flight of steps 15ft [4.6m] short of its original end.

The inner end of the basin retains its natural condition as a beach. In the N corner, there is a slip added since 1854.

A Graham 1971.

(Location cited as NO 577 038). Cellardyke Harbour, built 16th-18th century, improved 19th century, notably in 1829. A roughly rectangular basin, formed by a straight pier, an L-plan pier, and a quay on the landward side, all masonry. The end of the basin is natural beach, presumably for stilling waves entering the harbour.

J R Hume 1976.

The harbour at Cellardyke displays two clear phases of construction.

Net drying poles in the harbour.

Site recorded by Maritime Fife during the Coastal Assessment Survey for Historic Scotland, Kincardine to Fife Ness 1996.